Use of a portable hoist to lift a person from bed to wheelchair or chair - SWI 006 2013

Disclaimer

This information is a guide only for use by non-government organisations and service providers as a training tool (supplementary to training) and is not intended as medical or professional advice. Users must seek appropriate medical or professional service. The State Government of South Australia accepts no responsibility for the suitability or completeness of the information and expressly disclaims all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any of the information.

Stop, Think, Assess, Review

Stop before you begin, you must review the support plan of the client being assisted.

Think about the task, any equipment needed and the readiness of the client. Think about other options if this task cannot be done safely.

Assess the client by watching/talking to them to see if they are willing and able to participate in the task.

Review other options available if client not ready for task. Talk to supervisor/manager about other options.

Potential hazards

Client injury from pinching skin with sling or from fall from hoist or hoist malfunction.

Cross-infection to client from sling.

Muscular soft-tissue or skeletal injury to workers from incorrect movement or posture.

Safety provisions

To prevent risk of injury to workers or clients during this manual task:

a. Follow all steps of this Safe Work Instruction.b. Use a minimum of 2 workers for the task.c. Check there is enough space to move portable hoist at every step of task, remove any tripping hazards.d. Always move in same direction as hoist when walking it, do not twist.e. Only use client's sling, making sure it is clean and the correct sling for the task. This instruction uses a full body sling as the example.f. Communicate with client and other workers at every step of this task.

Instruction

Set up

Check that the battery for the hoist is charged and in good condition. If any faults, report immediately and do not use.

Check the hoist (hooks, wheels) and sling for signs of wear or damage. If any faults, report immediately and do not use.

Make sure you know how to operate all controls of the specific Hoist. If unsure, review Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this Hoist. Report immediately if SOP not available.

Refer to client's support plan for specific information.

Operation

Prepare hoist and sling.

Take battery out of charger and insert into portable hoist.

Get client's sling, making sure it is the correct one for the task.

Assist client to roll to their side and set the sling in place.

One worker on each side of bed, unless otherwise indicated in client's support plan.

Attach one loop from each strap to hooks on the spreader bar (refer to client's support plan for correct loops to use).

Raise client with portable hoist and sling.

First worker raises sling using hoist controls, watching that sling loops are in place.

Second worker watches and reassures client, supporting the client's head if required.

If client looks uncomfortable or unbalanced, lower sling and reposition.

Move client with portable hoist.

When client is clear above bed move hoist backwards.

Second worker assists to guide client as needed.

Use handles on portable hoist to slowly push to new location, move with direction of hoist, do not twist.

Again, make sure area free of hazards.

Position client over wheelchair or chair.

Operator brings hoist into position.

Second worker supports then pivots client in sling, so they are correctly above the wheelchair/chair and ready to be lowered.

Workers to do task in a slow, careful manner.

Lower client with portable hoist

Second worker gets into position to side or behind client.

If using a wheelchair, make sure brakes are on, and footplates are removed if required.

Worker operating hoist uses hoist controls to lower client.

Both workers guide the sling so that client is positioned to back of chair, making sure not to take any weight.

Release sling loops and remove hoist.

Make sure client is safe before removing equipment.

Unhook sling when it is relaxed; keep control of spreader bar to avoid it hitting client.

Conclusion

Safely conclude task.

Make sure client is comfortable.

Put hoist away, place battery back in charger as required.

Place all other equipment in correct storage areas.

Document any incident and report to supervisor immediately.

Attribution: Department of Human Services, the Government of South Australia, "Use of a portable hoist to lift a person from bed to wheelchair or chair - SWI 006 2013", Sourced on 20th Nov 2018, (https://dhs.sa.gov.au/services/disability-services/safe-work-instructions/use-of-a-portable-hoist-to-lift-a-person-from-bed-to-wheelchair-or-chair)'